National Herald case: Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi charged with criminal conspiracy

NEW DELHI: Senior Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi have been charged with criminal conspiracy in the National Herald case. The Delhi Police Economic Offences Wing (EOW) filed a fresh FIR naming six individuals, with Sonia Gandhi listed as the first accused and Rahul Gandhi as the second. Sam Pitroda and three others have also been named in the complaint. The FIR additionally includes three companies-Associated Journals Ltd. (AJL), Young Indian, and Dotex Merchants Pvt. Ltd.

The case stems from a complaint by BJP leader Subramanian Swamy, who alleged that the assets of Associated Journals Ltd., the former publisher of the now-defunct National Herald newspaper, were improperly taken over by Young Indian, a company in which Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi serve as directors. AJL had reportedly received an interest-free loan of Rs 90 crore from the Indian National Congress. According to the allegation, when the loan remained unpaid, Young Indian- incorporated in 2010 with a capital of Rs 5 lakh- acquired control of AJL, which holds assets valued at around Rs 5,000 crore.

Young Indian’s board includes Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, Sam Pitroda and others. The complaint alleges that the leaders and their associates formed Young Indian with the intention of taking over AJL and its substantial properties.